Antitorture Resolution

WHEREAS,

It is the privilege of Interpreters and Translators to facilitate communication across linguistic barriers in the service of humanity, to enable a greater understanding and respect between language groups, and to remove the language barrier to the extent possible so that no one will suffer discrimination or denial of rights due to a language barrier; and

WHEREAS,

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights holds that the utmost respect for human life and dignity is to be maintained and that “no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”; and,

WHEREAS,

All four Geneva Conventions prohibit "Violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture; Taking of hostages; Outrages upon personal dignity, in particular, humiliating and degrading treatment"; and

WHEREAS,

Translators and Interpreters serving in non-combat roles under any military are bound by respect for humanity and international law to respect wounded combatants, injured civilians, and enemy prisoners, and to report any evidence of abuse of detainees; and,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED

That NETA condemns as unethical behavior any knowing participation in, cooperation with, or failure to report, the mental or physical abuse, sexual degradation, cruel treatment, or torture of prisoners or detainees; and be it further

Resolved

That NETA supports the rights of Interpreters and Translators to be protected from retribution for refusing to participate or cooperate in abuse or torture, or deprivation of rights in military or other settings anywhere; and be it further

Resolved

That the work and participation of Interpreters and Translators must at all times be limited to a lawful setting governed by a system of rights and due process, which must be afforded all prisoners without exception in accordance with International Law, and absent these fundamental elements of justice, Interpreters and Translators must refrain from participation in or facilitation of such processes; and be it further

Resolved

That NETA urges schools and programs responsible for the education and training of Interpreters and Translators to include training in ethical behavior and internationally recognized codes of professional conduct, and urges that the fundamental conclusions of this resolution be incorporated into Interpreter and Translator codes of ethics.